Digestive Health Archives

Got Heartburn? It Could Be Caused by a Hiatal Hernia

Apr 30, 2018 · Jim Black · Digestive Health

The diaphragm is a large muscle that separates your chest and abdominal cavity. The diaphragm contains an opening called the hiatus, through which your esophagus passes to connect to the stomach. In some people, especially those who are overweight, over age 50, or who smoke, the stomach bulges up through … Read More

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: What Causes This Common Disorder?

Apr 15, 2018 · Matthew Solan · Digestive Health

According to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association, roughly 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms. Characterized by such symptoms as cramp-like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation, IBS can be uncomfortable and distressing. However, it does not cause permanent harm to the intestines, or … Read More

foods that make UC worse ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: Foods to Avoid During UC Flare-Ups

Mar 21, 2018 · Dawn Bialy · Digestive Health

People with the digestive disease ulcerative colitis (UC) have learned the hard way that eating certain foods can make symptoms worse. “What you eat directly affects gut inflammation, your immune system, and your gut bacteria,” says Colleen Webb, RDN, a dietitian at Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Center for Inflammatory Bowel … Read More

Proton Pump Inhibitors May Cause Ischemic Strokes and Other Serious Conditions

Jan 12, 2018 · Diane Muhlfeld · Digestive Health

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prescribed to some 15 million Americans to reduce stomach acid and ease heartburn. Millions more use over-the-counter PPIs. New research, however, is showing a link between long-term, high-dosage PPI use and ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and is … Read More

Vomiting and Nausea: Why It’s Happening and How to Find Relief

Jan 3, 2018 · Chandra Johnson-Greene · Digestive Health

Barfing, puking, hurling, ralphing, blowing chunks, tossing cookies—whatever you happen to call it, vomiting is no fun at all. But it’s one of the ways our body tells us that something’s wrong. Think of it as an alarm system going off, but directly in our stomachs. Yuck! If you’ve ever … Read More

Acid Reflux: Here’s How to Avoid This Common Digestive Ailment

Dec 18, 2017 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Digestive Health

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when the contents of the stomach pass into the esophagus and cause inflammation. For many people, it causes mild but unpleasant symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, and trouble swallowing, but if left untreated, it can increase the risk of stomach cancer. … Read More

C Diff Infections Among Hospital Patients on the Rise

Dec 12, 2017 · Cindy Foley · Digestive Health

The prevalence of clostridium difficile—or C diff —is staggering. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are almost half a million cases per year. Of those, 15,000 patients die from C diff, which is a bacterial infection. While those statistics might make you think, “I need medicine … Read More

Leaky Gut Test: Understanding “Increased Intestinal Permeability”

Dec 7, 2017 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Digestive Health

Bloated, always tired and constantly craving sugar? You may be suffering from leaky gut. There’s a test for that! So what is the leaky gut test, and do you need one? Increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut, occurs when the barrier between the gut and the bloodstream (mucosal … Read More

Gallstones Treatment: What Are Your Options?

Nov 30, 2017 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Digestive Health

Our gallbladder—a pear-shaped organ that sits beneath the liver—has a simple function: to store and concentrate bile, a digestive enzyme made by the liver. Within the gallbladder, however, solid deposits known as gallstones can form, a condition that affects up to 9 million people in the U.S. each year. Among … Read More

Hiccups: What Causes Them and How to Get Rid of Them

Nov 29, 2017 · Chandra Johnson-Greene · Digestive Health

They occur out of the blue and make a funny noise, but they’re also annoying and, sometimes, even painful. Everyone gets the hiccups from time to time, but why do we get them and how do we stop them? There isn’t a lot of medical research on the topic of … Read More

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